Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 3 August said the state would mount a legal response to Tamil Nadu's decision to approach the Supreme Court over the Cauvery water dispute, after consulting legal experts. Shivakumar made the announcement following a two-hour Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru — the first since 19 new Ministers were sworn in earlier that day.

Karnataka's Legal Stand

'We respect the law and will respond legally. Karnataka has complied with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's directions within the legal framework, and all political parties in the state have stood united in protecting Karnataka's interests,' Shivakumar said. The Chief Minister underscored that the state's response would be coordinated with senior legal counsel before any submission before the apex court.

The Cauvery dispute is one of India's longest-running inter-state water conflicts, with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu locked in a decades-old disagreement over allocation from the river basin. Tamil Nadu's fresh Supreme Court petition adds a new legal dimension to a row that has historically flared during deficit monsoon years.

New Ministers Directed to Assess Flood and Drought Damage

The Cabinet meeting also took stock of Karnataka's twin crisis of heavy rainfall and drought across multiple districts. Shivakumar directed the newly inducted Ministers to visit their assigned districts from Wednesday, conduct field inspections alongside elected representatives from all parties, and submit detailed reports to the Revenue Minister.

'We have instructed the new Ministers to visit their respective districts, inspect areas affected by excessive rainfall and drought, and submit reports after conducting field assessments. The government will take decisions based on these reports,' he said.

Water Crisis: Partial Relief, Concerns Remain

The Chief Minister acknowledged that recent rainfall had eased an acute water shortage but cautioned that the situation remained precarious. Key reservoirs — including KRS and Hemavathi — were yet to reach adequate levels despite improved inflows.

'The situation had become extremely critical, but recent rains have brought temporary relief. Reservoirs such as KRS and Hemavathi are yet to fill up despite increased inflows. There have been rain-related incidents in Shivamogga and Thirthahalli, and appropriate relief measures will be taken after receiving reports,' Shivakumar said.

₹1 Crore Per Constituency for Drinking Water

The state government has already sanctioned ₹1 crore for every Assembly constituency to address immediate drinking water requirements. Further allocations will follow once district-level assessment reports are submitted. Cross-party field inspections have been mandated to ensure transparency in damage evaluation.

With Tamil Nadu's Supreme Court petition pending and Karnataka's reservoirs still below capacity, the coming weeks will test both the state's legal strategy and its ability to manage a compounding water emergency.